Experience

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  B.A.W. Associates, LLC

  • CEO

    • Jan 2011 - Present

    Advise clients with regard to legislative strategies that will advance their policy agenda. Provide issue analysis, draft briefs, design talking points and testimony for presentation before legislative and rule making bodies. Provide informational access to elected officials. Assist those seeking elective public office in designing successful election campaigns. Expert in criminal justice programs involving community corrections, and sentencing, sentencing alternatives the “Second Chance Act,” and residential reentry. Skilled in the application of the auditing and the accreditation standards of the American Correctional Association.Acted, as the principal lobbyist, in the organization and creation of the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education (CEEMDHEd). This organization was formed to address the continuing funding disparities between Maryland’s Historically Black Universities (HBU) and Maryland’s Traditionally White Institutions (TWI). Assisted in the development of legislative, i.e., lobbying, legal, and grassroots strategies for the CEEMDHEd. A lawsuit was filed by the CEEMDHEd and the matter is currently pending before the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.Conduct monthly quality control audits for community based correctional facilities.

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  Reynolds & Associates, Inc. and Rehabilitation Services, Inc

  • Director - Training & Quality Assurance

    • Jan 2008 - Jan 2011

    Responsible for the overall staff training for both new hires and in-service training for incumbents. Performed quality assurance activities for residential services and the operations related to three (3) “Residential Re-entry Centers;” a sixty (60) bed all female facility in Washington, DC, a thirty-six (36) bed co-ed facility in Norfolk Virginia, and a sixty-four (64) bed all-male facility in Newport News, Virginia.Developed, and executed a monthly internal audit at all three (3) facilities to ensure compliance with the Statements of Work (SOW) as mandated by the contract sources. Wrote an Audit Report for each facility memorializing the auditor’s findings. the report is used as a management tool to measure staff effectiveness and efficiency.Created, developed, and implemented a MS PowerPoint slide training presentation for new-hires, including coursework, real-time hands-on training and written examinations to test competency. Performed, human resources duties, including pre-screening telephone interviews with potential new-hires, face-to-face interviews. Investigated and enforced the Company’s Policy & Procedures Manual. Assisted in the drafting and implementation of the Employee Handbook.Assisted the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President with business development and expansion by preparing presentations for elected officials, community organizations, and other stakeholders who might be resistant to the opening of a Residential Re-entry Center in their neighborhood. This grassroots approach has been successful in addressing community concerns, assuaging residents’ fears, and fostering partnerships and mutual cooperation.Maintained compliance with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity Laws, and diversity requirements as dictated by the various contract sources.Created, developed and submitted a company-wide Emergency Response Plan that was accepted and approved by the DC Government Office of Emergency Management.

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  B.A.W. Associates, L.L.C., Lobbying and Political Consultants

  • Owner

    • Jan 1992 - Jan 2008

    Advise clients with regard to legislative strategies that will advance their policy agenda. Provide issue analysis, draft briefs, design talking points and testimony for presentation before legislative and rule making bodies. Provide informational access to elected officials. Assist those seeking elective public office in designing successful election campaigns. Lobbied for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) under the various equal opportunity laws and diversity mandates in the open and set-aside marketplace. Created, developed, and implemented a legislative agenda and capacity building strategy for Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund (MBELDEF). Prepared and presented testimony before Congressional Committees, successfully lobbied for minority business set-asides, and the removal of regulatory impediments to the profitability of minority businesses in the open market arena. Effectively negotiated contracts for MBELDEF’s members before GSA, and GAOCreated, developed, and implemented a legislative agenda and capacity building strategy for Minority Business Enterprises involved in manufacturing as part of an initiative administered by the National Minority Manufacturers Institute. Performed as a “ Kerry Super Surrogate” during the 2004 campaign in the state of Wisconsin, debating campaign issues before live audiences, speaking to civic organizations, and appeared on talk radio responding to questions and comments from call-in listeners. Acted as a “Government Relations Coordinator” at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Developed and implemented an initiative for the establishment of a Political Action Committee. Successfully obtained a 501(c) (3) tax exemption, in six (6) months, for a faith- based entity to provide financial literacy training. Counseled a Native American tribe regarding the use of mandamus as a vehicle to enforce state land grant rights, and lobbied for gaming rights.

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  Shumacker &. Thompson, P.A

  • Litigation Associate

    • Jan 1990 - Jan 1991

    Supervised all litigation matters Represented clients involved in corporate litigation, business matters, personal injury claims, and probate proceedings. Successfully defended a broadcasting company in a multi-million dollar abusive discharge suit brought by a former employee. Designed, developed, and implemented the employment and personnel manual for that same client.Recovered a substantial jury award for a client injured in an automobile accident.Protected a client's claim to estate proceeds in New York City.

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  Lee &. Harvey, P.A

  • Associate

    • Jan 1988 - Jan 1990

    Senior trial and appellate litigator in a fifteen (15) lawyer firm. In addition to handling a caseload involving corporate matters, criminal matters, probate, and personal injury, had the responsibility for representing the firm and the named partners, and supervised three (3) attorneys.Defended the firm in the dissolution of its predecessor and the litigation matters that resulted there after.Defended a corporate client against a commercial lawsuit, while in the same litigation prevailing upon the client's counter-claim, resulting in a substantial jury award.

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  Mitchell, Mitchell, &. Mitchell, P.A

  • Managing Attorney

    • Jan 1986 - Jan 1988

    Complete management and supervisory responsibility for a ten (10) attorney firm with a support staff of five (5). In conjunction with my managerial duties carried a civil, criminal caseload at both the trial and appellate levels.Prosecuted to a successful conclusion an abusive discharge claim for a client against his former "Fortune 1000" employer and a private security company resulting in a six-figure jury award, which was upheld by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.Represented a nonprofit as outside counsel, accomplished the application process whereby the organization was granted 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status, implemented a reporting process such that the tax exempt status could be maintained, advised the president, board of directors, and its executive director relative to all legal pertinent matters.Performed lobbying and legislative services for a life insurance companyregarding regulatory matters.

  • Associate

    • Jan 1978 - Jan 1988

    Assisted the named partners in varying matters in a general practice involving employment discrimination, government contract cases, minority and small business representation, personal injury matters, criminal law, administrative procedure, and estate/probate issues.Managed a construction company that performed highway guardrail, median barrier, and poured concrete services in the mid-Atlantic region.

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  HUD

  • Consultant

    • Jan 1976 - Jan 1978

    As a member of the "Urban Policy" staff, prepared analysis of existing community development plans, and after consultation with high-level public officials, devised proposals to stimulate renewed development of the nation's depressed urban centers.Completed technical research regarding the feasibility of using tax-exempt bonds as a financing vehicle for private development inner city projects.

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  U.S. House of Representatives

  • Committee Counsel

    • Jan 1972 - Jan 1976

    Committee Counsel, House Banking Committee, Subcommittee On Domestic Monetary PolicyDuties included legislative research and legal analysis of issues pending before the Committee. Provided the Chairman with data necessary for him to make an informed decision on his position as to pending legislation represented the Chairman at hearings, coordinated constituent forums, responded, on the Chairman's behalf, to constituent concerns.